This is a discussion on New to the Game - Attempting an Ultra-Fast Rise, Advice within the online poker forums, in the Learning Poker section; Hello to you all at cardschat!
I am attempting to advance extremely quickly in poker. My experience to date consists of freerolls and theory - reading

I am attempting to advance extremely quickly in poker. My experience to date consists of freerolls and theory - reading tons of poker books, strategy articles, forum archives, videos etc. My goal is a to earn a $30/hour rate (live or online) in 3 months. I realize that this is going to be incredibly challenging, I'm expecting some criticism here, but this is what I want to try.

Some background info - I live in the U.S. The Nearest Casino (Foxwoods) is a 1.5 hour drive. Moving out of the U.S to play online will be possible in 3 months. I can dedicate 40 hours/wk to playing and studying the game. IQ roughly 135, not a genius by any means but I am mathematically inclined. High self discipline. Roughly 4 grand bankroll. no other income source atm.

I'm looking for some general advice. Is this plan even possible for someone in my position? If not, how could I make it so? And most importantly, how would you all who have experience go about it? Looking for you who have made it before me to lay some insight on the best path to take.

Looking forward to everyone's advice! and spending a lot of time here

#2

7th February 2013, 9:39 PM

bz54321 [842]

Game: omaha

Just put the whole 4k on black every 3 weeks until you lose. You will only have to work for 5 min every 3 weeks to earn your 30$ an hour (40 hour weeks). You actually would end up a little better than this but you knew that because you are a math wiz.

#3

7th February 2013, 9:57 PM

A9ofHearts [649]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: Hold em'

There are some good sites that accept US poker players. Bovada and CarbonPoker are both good sites that allow US players.
Best of luck

This is a terrible forum for this thread. Will move it to Learning Poker.

#5

7th February 2013, 10:08 PM

youregoodmate [2,683]

Online Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: NLHE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic5

I'm expecting some criticism here

Im not surprised, you're aspirations are somewhat ridiculous.

#6

7th February 2013, 10:14 PM

Stoic5 [18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz54321

Just put the whole 4k on black every 3 weeks until you lose. You will only have to work for 5 min every 3 weeks to earn your 30$ an hour (40 hour weeks). You actually would end up a little better than this but you knew that because you are a math wiz.

This is by no means an egoic thread. Your hostility is not appreciated, If you have something helpful to contribute then please do, otherwise don't waste our time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9ofHearts

There are some good sites that accept US poker players. Bovada and CarbonPoker are both good sites that allow US players.
Best of luck

thanks man. I am concerned about withdrawls as a U.S. Player. Will consider a small deposit as a learning tool, but I am skeptical as to ever getting my money out and back to the U.S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by youregoodmate

Im not surprised, you're aspirations are somewhat ridiculous.

I'm aware of it. I'm still going to try. Looking for advice from someone who has gotten to that winrate. have you?

#7

7th February 2013, 10:32 PM

bz54321 [842]

Game: omaha

re: Poker & New to the Game - Attempting an Ultra-Fast Rise, Advice

Quote:

This is by no means an egoic thread. Your hostility is not appreciated, If you have something helpful to contribute then please do, otherwise don't waste our time.

LOL

I am 100% serious the plan I layed out will work way better than trying to double your money threw poker every 3 weeks. I am not being hostile I am being realistic.

Are you trying to make a living off of gambling or not?

If you think my advice is bad but your plan is good then you are crazy.

#8

7th February 2013, 11:32 PM

Dyabetix [8]

Poker at: Juicy Stakes

Game: Holdem

First off, good luck on reaching you goal. I would say its a lofty one, but attainable. I hope that Poker will not be your only form of employment, but being able to dedicate that much time sounds like it may be. I suggest not to let Poker be the main or only source of income until you can reasonably decide that it keep you in the black and not the red.

#9

8th February 2013, 12:10 AM

bz54321 [842]

Game: omaha

I want this to work for you. Good Luck.

Have you ever mastered anything in 3 months?
How often do you gamble? Whats the biggest gamble you have taken?
Why will you be better than the other people already doing this?
How long do you think it took them to be able to do what you want to do?
Do you think people already doing it ever lose there roll?
Is there some reason you think it will be easy to take money from people who all want to take your money?
How much do you love playing games?
Are you thinking it will be anything like the free games you have been playing?

And a million more questions after that just to start. Do you think you could answer a million of these kind of questions in 3 months?

There is a lot of variables I dont think you are taking into account.

#10

8th February 2013, 12:28 AM

triplesyxx [420]

Poker at: Bovada

Game: HOLDEM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyabetix

First off, good luck on reaching you goal. I would say its a lofty one, but attainable. I hope that Poker will not be your only form of employment, but being able to dedicate that much time sounds like it may be. I suggest not to let Poker be the main or only source of income until you can reasonably decide that it keep you in the black and not the red.

this guy knows what hes talking about....+1

#11

8th February 2013, 1:39 AM

bz54321 [842]

Game: omaha

Be sure to quickly move on from the nay sayers. Anything is possible.

Also always remember

Quote:

black and not the red

#12

8th February 2013, 1:48 AM

Kenzie 96 [10,267]

Poker at: pokerstars

Game: holdem

No secret really, the internet allows one to play lots of poker, less true for U.S. players since Black Friday obviously. Buy Holdem Manager or Poker Tracker, play lots of hands, study your results, learn, apply the learning at more tables. etc. Wash, rinse, repeat.

#13

8th February 2013, 2:52 AM

Stoic5 [18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyabetix

First off, good luck on reaching you goal. I would say its a lofty one, but attainable. I hope that Poker will not be your only form of employment, but being able to dedicate that much time sounds like it may be. I suggest not to let Poker be the main or only source of income until you can reasonably decide that it keep you in the black and not the red.

thanks, great to hear that a few of you think it can be done. I'm planning on poker as a sole income source, but I have a buffer to hold me over for roughly 3 months or so while I learn. I will have a Mechanical Engineering degree in 3months to use it as a fallback, or I will pick up a restaraunt job to keep myself afloat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz54321

Be sure to quickly move on from the nay sayers. Anything is possible.

Also always remember

thanks man!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenzie 96

No secret really, the internet allows one to play lots of poker, less true for U.S. players since Black Friday obviously. Buy Holdem Manager or Poker Tracker, play lots of hands, study your results, learn, apply the learning at more tables. etc. Wash, rinse, repeat.

thanks for the advice, I plan to consider online poker as a learning investment. Am I correct in thinking that the worst that could happen is not being able to get money out?

#14

8th February 2013, 3:01 AM

Stoic5 [18]

re: Poker & New to the Game - Attempting an Ultra-Fast Rise, Advice

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz54321

I want this to work for you. Good Luck.

Have you ever mastered anything in 3 months?
How often do you gamble? Whats the biggest gamble you have taken?
Why will you be better than the other people already doing this?
How long do you think it took them to be able to do what you want to do?
Do you think people already doing it ever lose there roll?
Is there some reason you think it will be easy to take money from people who all want to take your money?
How much do you love playing games?
Are you thinking it will be anything like the free games you have been playing?

And a million more questions after that just to start. Do you think you could answer a million of these kind of questions in 3 months?

There is a lot of variables I dont think you are taking into account.

Awesome Post - I'll do my best

1) I would relate it to weight lifting. After years of ineffective, on/off lifting I recently got serious about it, studied and implemented and transformed my scrawny ass by gaining 20 lbs of muscle in about two months and reducing bodyfat %
2) Do not gamble. I view poker as a skill to be mastered. Biggest Risk - will be pursuing this instead of opting for the easy-out Mechanical Engineering Job.
3) Because of time put into the game, dedication, study. No drinking or tilting and other bullshit
4) I think I am trying to do what takes most people 2-3 years, in 3 months.
5) Depends on the individual. Most likely yes, depends on BR management and life situations that come up.
6) I think there are enough fish out there
7) I like playing poker more than any other money-producing activity i can think of
8)Nope. I am done playing freerolls, I don't think I'm getting much value from them.
9) Hell yea! hopefully I will be able to answer far more and far more accurately

#15

8th February 2013, 3:04 AM

Blobweird123 [2,468]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: nlhe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic5

Am I correct in thinking that the worst that could happen is not being able to get money out?

Nope. I'd assume the worst that could happen is you losing a 4k bankroll. But thats just an assumption. Wait no, that IS the worst that could happen lol

Since you are trying to get to a goal aggressively, you have to play aggressively. There is no time to learn solid fundamentals, you need to get lucky, in a hurry, and none of us know how to teach you how to get lucky.

Do you feel lucky? Was that 6 shots or only 5? The sarcasm was not hostility, it was meant to get a laugh.

While we all wish you good luck, few of us think it can happen in so short a time.

#17

8th February 2013, 3:14 AM

duggs [9,065]

hire a coach

#18

8th February 2013, 3:19 AM

Stoic5 [18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj11

Since you are trying to get to a goal aggressively, you have to play aggressively. There is no time to learn solid fundamentals, you need to get lucky, in a hurry, and none of us know how to teach you how to get lucky.

Do you feel lucky? Was that 6 shots or only 5? The sarcasm was not hostility, it was meant to get a laugh.

While we all wish you good luck, few of us think it can happen in so short a time.

I intend to do the former and avoid the latter. or did you mean something else?

#19

8th February 2013, 5:08 AM

DaReKa [265]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: NLHE Cash

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz54321

Have you ever mastered anything in 3 months?

This ^

Well, I don't have very high hopes for your 3 month goal, but it's just a goal anyway, so if you don't make it in 3 months, I'm sure the progress you make will be worth the effort. Like others have said, buy a HUD, study, study, practice, practice more, and study.

#20

8th February 2013, 6:27 AM

OzExorcist [7,593]

Poker at: Full Tilt

Game: wild deuces

Without wanting to judge one way or the other, I'll just throw this out there: if you're playing live, then three months isn't really long enough to nail down your ROI / $ per hour numbers.

You've said you have 40 hours per week in which to play AND study. For the sake of the argument let's dedicate all those hours to playing. 40 hours x 13 weeks = 520 hours. Live poker only deals about 20 hands per hour (maybe 25 if you get an ideal dealer and player combination) so you're only going to be seeing somewhere between 10,000 and 13,000 hands in that time - less if you take time to study too. That's not very many hands in the grand scheme of things, and it's certainly a period in which luck can play a bigger role than skill.

#21

8th February 2013, 8:01 AM

spstevens [304]

Online Poker at: pokerstars

Game: holdem

re: Poker & New to the Game - Attempting an Ultra-Fast Rise, Advice

Your plan is fine but for all the other players who want to win also. If you are talented enough and dedicated enough it may work but be forewarned it is no cakewalk . Good luck and best wishes.

#22

8th February 2013, 8:18 AM

RiverMeTimbers [172]

Poker at: Bovada

Game: holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz54321

I want this to work for you. Good Luck.

Have you ever mastered anything in 3 months?
How often do you gamble? Whats the biggest gamble you have taken?
Why will you be better than the other people already doing this?
How long do you think it took them to be able to do what you want to do?
Do you think people already doing it ever lose there roll?
Is there some reason you think it will be easy to take money from people who all want to take your money?
How much do you love playing games?
Are you thinking it will be anything like the free games you have been playing?

And a million more questions after that just to start. Do you think you could answer a million of these kind of questions in 3 months?

There is a lot of variables I dont think you are taking into account.

These are good questions.

But at OP you can't master or even come close in 3 months. Just go to your local casino and see how many players with high ambitions you will meet!

BEST ADVICE!!! Play and learn poker as a "secondary" hobby alongside a stable job (love or hate) until you notice a vast improvement to your poker thinking and results!

Good luck out there fishy

#23

8th February 2013, 8:28 AM

RiverMeTimbers [172]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic5

Awesome Post - I'll do my best

1) I would relate it to weight lifting. After years of ineffective, on/off lifting I recently got serious about it, studied and implemented and transformed my scrawny ass by gaining 20 lbs of muscle in about two months and reducing bodyfat %
2) Do not gamble. I view poker as a skill to be mastered. Biggest Risk - will be pursuing this instead of opting for the easy-out Mechanical Engineering Job.
3) Because of time put into the game, dedication, study. No drinking or tilting and other bullshit
4) I think I am trying to do what takes most people 2-3 years, in 3 months.
5) Depends on the individual. Most likely yes, depends on BR management and life situations that come up.
6) I think there are enough fish out there
7) I like playing poker more than any other money-producing activity i can think of
8)Nope. I am done playing freerolls, I don't think I'm getting much value from them.
9) Hell yea! hopefully I will be able to answer far more and far more accurately

1) You never mastered weight lifting. You lost weight. I don't consider everybody in a gym exercising to be "pro" or even "amateur" weight lifters/ body builders.
2) Don't throw away an entire career to pursue poker.. Why not pursue both??
3) Saying you won't ever go on Tilt is like saying you won't ever lose a hand.
4) It takes a lifetime buddy. Constant improvements must be made to your game.
6) Indeed, don't join them.
7) Well.... it is a game...
8) No shit they are free.

I'm just saying man.. Yeah it is really exciting and awesome to imagine yourself playing poker for a living. Millions of people attempt to do this each year and fail. Just keep your options open...

Becoming a pro poker player is as physically and even more mentally taxing then being a pro athlete.

#24

8th February 2013, 4:23 PM

bz54321 [842]

Game: omaha

Okay well my suggestion is to go on meetups and find some home games around you. They will be softer than the casino and prob a lot closer. There may even be a game around you tonight and will help you get a feel for playing live.

I intend to do the former and avoid the latter. or did you mean something else?

Nothing other than get lucky. You will have to win more than your share of races, get dealt better than average hands, and find more than your share of fishes.

Your position reminds me of the young buck driver we here in L.A. see often. He darts in and out of traffic thinking he is winning the race to the Supermarket. But during that trip, he has passed me five times, and always seemed to end up in the wrong lane at the stop lights. He pulls into the parking lot just ahead of me, which is exactly where he started, as he got to the first stop light just ahead of me.

His approach to driving is speed related, mine is economy related. He gets speeding tickets, I get gas discounts.

#26

8th February 2013, 5:31 PM

TeUnit [1,627]

Poker at: PokerStars

Game: holdem, sng,

thats a worthy goal

gl,

t

#27

8th February 2013, 5:42 PM

Scourrge [6,263]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: Hold'em

A few things:
+1,000,000 to hiring a coach. You will get much faster improvement from 1 on 1 learning than from pure experience/reading more books.

Freerolls do not prepare you for real money games as much as you probably think.

Consider easing in rather than going full throttle. You can commit yourself to poker while still having a "real job."

Not everyone still loves poker after they HAVE to play/study it > 40 hours/week to make their income. (Assuming a positive win-rate.)

#28

8th February 2013, 5:49 PM

TheKid84 [1,197]

Poker at: Carbon/Bovad

Game: Holdem/Omaha

re: Poker & New to the Game - Attempting an Ultra-Fast Rise, Advice

A bit more conservative myself, I'm all for lofty goals for others in hopes they can achieve said goals. Lets face it - would doesn't love these type of success stories when they work out?

My only advice is to keep with that degree of yours and get a job within your field. As much as my dad pissed me off growing up, some things he said are permanently in my head. "Plan for the worst, and hope for the best." Have poker be your secondary, and IF you get to the point where you can make it your primary source of income, have at it and enjoy it.

You say you enjoy playing poker. With the plan you have established, I think your poker playing days would be shorter than you realize. Best of luck though.

#29

8th February 2013, 8:01 PM

Stoic5 [18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzExorcist

Without wanting to judge one way or the other, I'll just throw this out there: if you're playing live, then three months isn't really long enough to nail down your ROI / $ per hour numbers.

You've said you have 40 hours per week in which to play AND study. For the sake of the argument let's dedicate all those hours to playing. 40 hours x 13 weeks = 520 hours. Live poker only deals about 20 hands per hour (maybe 25 if you get an ideal dealer and player combination) so you're only going to be seeing somewhere between 10,000 and 13,000 hands in that time - less if you take time to study too. That's not very many hands in the grand scheme of things, and it's certainly a period in which luck can play a bigger role than skill.

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll be depositing online (as a learning investment, not expecting to profit much or even get the money out) and seeing as many hands as I can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spstevens

Your plan is fine but for all the other players who want to win also. If you are talented enough and dedicated enough it may work but be forewarned it is no cakewalk . Good luck and best wishes.

thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz54321

Okay well my suggestion is to go on meetups and find some home games around you. They will be softer than the casino and prob a lot closer. There may even be a game around you tonight and will help you get a feel for playing live.

thanks, will check it out

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj11

Nothing other than get lucky. You will have to win more than your share of races, get dealt better than average hands, and find more than your share of fishes.

Your position reminds me of the young buck driver we here in L.A. see often. He darts in and out of traffic thinking he is winning the race to the Supermarket. But during that trip, he has passed me five times, and always seemed to end up in the wrong lane at the stop lights. He pulls into the parking lot just ahead of me, which is exactly where he started, as he got to the first stop light just ahead of me.

His approach to driving is speed related, mine is economy related. He gets speeding tickets, I get gas discounts.

Haha, my goal is about being the "young buck" driver who gets there twice as fast as you, and makes as few mistakes as possible. And yep, might get a speeding ticket or two!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scourrge

A few things:
+1,000,000 to hiring a coach. You will get much faster improvement from 1 on 1 learning than from pure experience/reading more books.

Freerolls do not prepare you for real money games as much as you probably think.

Consider easing in rather than going full throttle. You can commit yourself to poker while still having a "real job."

Not everyone still loves poker after they HAVE to play/study it > 40 hours/week to make their income. (Assuming a positive win-rate.)

thanks for the advice. I don't have a ton of money to spend on a coach, but I will look into it. I also have a friend who played professionally (both live ande online) for some years who I am getting in touch with to watch him play/ talk poker

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKid84

A bit more conservative myself, I'm all for lofty goals for others in hopes they can achieve said goals. Lets face it - would doesn't love these type of success stories when they work out?

My only advice is to keep with that degree of yours and get a job within your field. As much as my dad pissed me off growing up, some things he said are permanently in my head. "Plan for the worst, and hope for the best." Have poker be your secondary, and IF you get to the point where you can make it your primary source of income, have at it and enjoy it.

You say you enjoy playing poker. With the plan you have established, I think your poker playing days would be shorter than you realize. Best of luck though.

thanks man!

#30

8th February 2013, 10:33 PM

A9ofHearts [649]

Poker at: Bovada

Game: Hold em'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic5

thanks man. I am concerned about withdrawls as a U.S. Player. Will consider a small deposit as a learning tool, but I am skeptical as to ever getting my money out and back to the U.S.

I'm aware of it. I'm still going to try. Looking for advice from someone who has gotten to that winrate. have you?

Did you get the PM I sent you?
No I don't have a positive win rate atm, it's going up, but I still have a ways to go. However, the person who first got me started playing poker is a pro player from Atlanta and I know he has made some successful withdrawals from Bovada.
As far as learning goes online would be the way to go because you can start at lower stakes than live, but that would also depend on the level you are planning to start at. I can't tell you from experience, but I have heard the online competition is tougher than the live competition simply because most of the people who go to casinos are there to gamble, not grind and turn a profit.
Best of luck whatever you do, and I would also suggest starting it as a second job while you learn it.

#31

9th February 2013, 12:03 AM

Stoic5 [18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9ofHearts

Did you get the PM I sent you?
No I don't have a positive win rate atm, it's going up, but I still have a ways to go. However, the person who first got me started playing poker is a pro player from Atlanta and I know he has made some successful withdrawals from Bovada.
As far as learning goes online would be the way to go because you can start at lower stakes than live, but that would also depend on the level you are planning to start at. I can't tell you from experience, but I have heard the online competition is tougher than the live competition simply because most of the people who go to casinos are there to gamble, not grind and turn a profit.
Best of luck whatever you do, and I would also suggest starting it as a second job while you learn it.

Did you get the PM I sent you?
No I don't have a positive win rate atm, it's going up, but I still have a ways to go. However, the person who first got me started playing poker is a pro player from Atlanta and I know he has made some successful withdrawals from Bovada.
As far as learning goes online would be the way to go because you can start at lower stakes than live, but that would also depend on the level you are planning to start at. I can't tell you from experience, but I have heard the online competition is tougher than the live competition simply because most of the people who go to casinos are there to gamble, not grind and turn a profit.
Best of luck whatever you do, and I would also suggest starting it as a second job while you learn it.